Man impersonating officer, fondling women in Hollywood area

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police are searching for a man suspected of impersonating an officer and fondling women in the Hollywood area.

Officials said the man produced a badge and conducted searches of two women in less than a week.

The first incident happened around 1 a.m. on Nov. 24 in the 6100 block of De Longpre Avenue in Hollywood.

The suspect approached a woman, a 25-year-old exchange student from Russia, who was searching for her keys, showed her a badge and ordered her up against a wall to search her, police said.

The suspect began fondling the woman then pulled a gun and threatened the woman, according to authorities.

The second incident happened on Monday in the 500 block of North Kingsley Drive in LAPD's Olympic District around 1 a.m.

Police said the suspect followed a woman pulling into a parking spot and approached her car.

The man pressed a badge against the window and told the woman her registration was expired, according to officials.

He then ordered her out of the car and told her to open the trunk. Authorities said the suspect claimed he was searching for weapons.

The man told the woman to get against a wall so he could search her, officials said. That's when police said the suspect began fondling the woman.

Eyewitness News spoke exclusively with the victim, who did not want to be identified.

"When he asked to pat me down for weapons, I was wearing skinny jeans, I can't hide anything in that. And so that was definitely the most terrifying part, and like I said, I was alone in a dark parking lot, so what was I supposed to do?" she said.

The suspect is described as a black man, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing between 230 and 280 pounds.

Officials said he has a tattoo or birthmark on his left temple.

His vehicle has been described as possibly a black Ford Mustang or purple Cadillac.

If you see the suspect or have any information, detectives urge you to call 911.